Advice from our moving experts to make your next move smoother, safer, and less stressful.
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Published on Apr 22, 2023
•6 min read
By Murphy Jackson,Guest Author
Studies show that moving out of a home is more stressful than getting a divorce.
You are uprooting your entire life to be in a new space, and this can be a shock to your system. The move may be an upgrade for you and your family, but this doesn’t mean it won’t be emotional.
You form an emotional bond with your space through memories and daily routines. Not to mention, you also accumulated things over time to make your home feel unique to you.
Saying goodbye to your space may be hard, but you can still move easily.
Get started now with those moving preparations to reduce the stress of leaving your home. Keep reading to learn 10 practical moving hacks that will make your moving day easier.
The easiest way to prepare for a move is to get rid of clutter in your home. Over time, we tend to build up a collection of things we no longer need.
Those items are broken or haven’t been used in years. But you try to convince yourself that you will get it fixed one day. Just get rid of it.
If you aren’t using it, then chances are no one else will want to use it either. Figure out when your neighborhood’s bulk trash day is and chuck that useless junk.
Your moving day will be much smoother now that there are fewer things to account for.
Do you have items in your home that you no longer use but are still in good condition? This is an opportunity to give back to those in need.
Pack up those gently worn clothes, shoes, and housewares and donate them to charity. You can even schedule a donation pickup so you don’t have to leave your home.
Donating your things feels better than throwing them away. These items get a second chance, and you cut down on environmental waste.
If you have some valuable items that can’t make it to the new space, then consider selling them. Host a garage sale and make some extra cash to support your relocation costs.
Price everything to sell so you’re not left with any leftover goods. A garage sale is also a great way to connect and say farewell to your neighbors.
Or you can save yourself the trouble of hosting an event by selling your valuable items online. There may be a fee to list and sell your items online, so keep this in mind as you explore your options.
Create a moving checklist of everything that needs to happen before your moving day. If you are a renter, ask your landlord if they have a moving checklist already in place.
Here are a few checklist items to get you started.
Fill out an address forwarding form with the post office so that all incoming mail goes to your new address. It takes a few minutes to do, and there is a small administrative fee.
If you are moving locally, set up a utility transfer to avoid any interruptions in service. Check to see if you can make the transfer online, but you can also call them to schedule a transfer.
Cancel any subscription-based services that are delivered to your door. You want to avoid getting charged for items you didn’t receive and are not using. Also, cancel your utilities if you are moving out of the service area.
You can check out this article to get an idea of what else you should have on your moving checklist.
You want to cut down the strain of moving, so don’t stuff everything into a few boxes. It’s a good idea to get more boxes than you need to distribute the weight evenly.
Also, break down any bed frames and bulky furniture. It’s much easier to carry your items out in smaller pieces and cuts down the odds of moving damages or accidents.
If you are not in the mood to do manual labor, hire some professional movers to do the job. Not only will they move your things, but you can even have them do the packing and unpacking.
There are many benefits to hiring a professional moving company. Sometimes it’s better to pay for a moving service than to experience bodily pain and fatigue.
If you decide to hire movers, your truck reservation is covered. But, if you have to put in some elbow grease, make sure you reserve a truck for the day.
You may want to consider reserving hotel accommodations as well. Your new home may not be ready for you, but you still want to rest well after a long day of moving.
Don’t make the mistake of renting a truck or storage unit that is too small. This will cost you time and money.
Pay attention to the size recommendations on rental and storage sites. They suggest sizes based on how many rooms and big items you have.
It can be tempting to save money by skimping on the size, but you will pay later.
Get a good night’s rest, drink water, and stretch before your big day. Avoid pulling an all-nighter because your body will not be able to keep up on moving day.
Accidents happen when you rush, so take your time leading up to the move. Preserve or replenish your energy with a good meal the night before. And pamper yourself with a nice hot bath to loosen up.
Get up early so that you have the whole day to move. Pace yourself to do any last-minute packing and cleaning.
Take as many breaks as you need so that you don’t burn out by noon. An early start even gives you extra time to troubleshoot any issues that come up.
Moving out of your home can be overwhelming, but these tips will help you move easily. But, don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
You can fill out this form for a free moving quote and professional guidance.